The French phrase “garder une poire pour la soif” means “to keep a pear for thirst” in English. It is a saying used to talk about saving something for the future.

Long ago, people used to carry a pear with them when they traveled or faced uncertain times. The pear was chosen because it could provide moisture and help with thirst. By keeping a pear for later, people made sure they had something to rely on if they became thirsty.

When someone says they are “garder une poire pour la soif,” they mean they are saving or setting aside something for when they might need it later. It’s about being prepared and thinking ahead. It could mean saving money, gathering resources, or making arrangements to avoid difficulties in the future.

This expression dates from the end of the 16th century and was first cited by Antoine Oudin in 1640.

In English, we have a similar saying: “to save something for a rainy day.” This means to keep something aside for when you might need it in the future. It’s about being prepared and thinking ahead, just like “garder une poire pour la soif” in French.